A nasal cannula, or NC, is one of the most commonly-used devices in the healthcare world. Used for delivering oxygen or aiding with airflow, these simple tubes can save and improve lives and treat a wide range of conditions and health problems, from respiratory failure to coronaviruses. In this guide, we’ll look at all you need to know about nasal cannulas, including what a nasal cannula is, what these devices are used for, and their advantages and disadvantages.

What Is a Nasal Cannula?

Let’s begin with a brief definition: what is a nasal cannula? In simple terms, a nasal cannula is a medical device that consists of a small, flexible tube with two prongs that sit inside a patient’s nostrils. One end of the nasal cannula tube attaches to an oxygen source of some kind, like a portable oxygen generator, allowing oxygen to flow through the tube and pass directly via the prongs into the patient’s nose and respiratory system.

What Are Nasal Cannulas Used for?

The main purpose or function of a nasal cannula is to deliver air and oxygen into the body, otherwise known as oxygen therapy. If a patient requires additional amounts of supplemental oxygen, a nasal cannula is the device that will typically be used to treat them. 

Typically, relatively low flow rates are used for oxygen therapy involving nasal cannulas, with a maximum rate of around 4-6 liters per minute. Nasal cannulas can also be used for high-flow therapy, in which the flow rate exceeds 6 L/min.

The usage of nasal cannulas can be recommended in a wide range of situations and circumstances, whenever a patient may require additional oxygen or airflow. Here are some examples of situations in which nasal cannulas may be used:

• Asthma 
• Sleep apnea 
• Cystic fibrosis 
• Pneumonia 
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 
• Respiratory failure 
• Heart failure 
• Coronaviruses
• Intubation 
• Extubation 
• Premature babies with underdeveloped lungs 
• Newborn babies with breathing difficulties 
• General breathing difficulties

What Are the Different Types of Nasal Cannulas?

While nasal cannulas may all appear more or less identical in terms of their appearance, they can be divided into two distinct types: low flow nasal cannulas and high flow nasal cannulas. Below, we’ll explain what each of these types is and what they’re used for.

Low Flow

A low flow nasal cannula is one with a relatively low maximum flow rate. These kinds of cannulas are only able to deliver oxygen into the body at a rate of around 4 to 6 L/min. They don’t have the ability to provide humidified or heated oxygen delivery, and this means that they can cause some unwanted side effects, like dryness and irritation in the nose. 

Low flow nasal cannulas are used when patients only need small amounts of supplemental oxygen. They’re often used in elderly patients or patients who are able to breathe relatively normally and comfortably, but still need additional airflow.

High Flow

High flow nasal cannulas, as the name implies, are capable of delivering higher flow rates of oxygen when compared to low flow cannulas. They can also be known as HFNC devices, and they are used for HHHF (heated humidified high-flow therapy), in which air and oxygen is heated and humidified to match the conditions of the body and provide a more comfortable experience for the patient. 

This kind of cannula lets a patient receive high levels of oxygen (up to 60 L/min) without dryness or other irritations, and high flow devices are useful for treating patients with chronic breathing problems or acute respiratory difficulties, such as severe coronavirus or premature infants with weak lungs.

How Do Nasal Cannulas Benefit Patients?

Nasal cannulas can offer a wide range of benefits to patients in need of supplemental oxygen or high flow nasal oxygen therapy. Here are just some of the advantages that these medical devices provide:

1. Simple

One of the best benefits of nasal cannulas is their simplicity. Consisting of nothing more than a flexible plastic tube, these devices are really basic and easy for both patients and medical personnel to work with, with minimal risks and no real complexity.

2. Versatile

Another key advantage of nasal cannulas is how versatile they are. From helping elderly patients with their breathing to saving the lives of premature infants or even helping pilots cope with low air pressure levels on planes, these devices have countless uses.

3. More Energy

One of the most direct ways in which nasal cannulas can improve patients’ lives is by providing them with more energy. As airflow increases to the patient, more oxygen is delivered to their organs and muscles, helping them to feel more energetic and active.

4. Easier Breathing

Naturally, another key benefit of using a nasal cannula is that they make it easier for the patient to breathe in a comfortable and satisfying way. They allow additional air and oxygen to enter the body, meeting the body’s needs of oxygen and allowing the patient to enjoy a more comfortable life.

5. Better Sleep

A lot of patients also find that using nasal cannulas helps them sleep. Trying to sleep with breathing difficulties or low levels of oxygen can be very difficult, and patients may struggle with insomnia, headaches, and other problems that affect their sleep in a negative way, but cannulas can assist with this. 

6. Longer Lifespan

It’s even possible that the use of a nasal cannula may increase a person’s estimated lifespan. The cannula can give them more energy to lead a more active lifestyle, which can aid with general health and heart health, as well as being a key part of treatment for various chronic respiratory conditions.

7. Easing Symptoms

Another benefit of nasal cannula usage is that it can help to ease some of the symptoms that patients may be experiencing that are associated with their respiratory difficulties. Tiredness, mood issues, and headaches are just some symptoms that can be alleviated with the help of a nasal cannula.

8. Saving Lives

It’s even possible for nasal cannulas to play a vital role in saving lives, particularly those of premature infants who are born with underdeveloped lungs and require respiratory assistance. Nasal cannulas and oxygen therapy can help to keep these very young babies alive.

Are There Any Downsides or Side Effects to Nasal Cannulas?

Despite offering plenty of benefits and being so simple to use, nasal cannulas also have some downsides and possible risks that both patients and medical personnel need to be aware of. Here are some of the disadvantages of nasal cannulas:

1. Nasal Dryness

One of the downsides of low flow nasal cannulas, in particular, is that they can cause the nasal passages to feel dried out. This can be quite uncomfortable for the patient. The risk of dryness is reduced when using heated, humidified air and a high flow cannula, but even with a high flow device, there’s still a risk.

2. Irritation

Another common complaint that some patients have with nasal cannulas is general irritation. Having small plastic prongs inside the nostrils can cause chafing, itchiness, and generally uncomfortable sensations, and some patients can feel tired or irritated by a cannula when using it for extended periods of time.

3. Bleeding

There’s also a risk of epistaxis, or nose bleeds, when using nasal cannulas. This usually happens due to the cannulas causing the inside of the nose to feel particularly dry and scratchy, which can eventually cause bleeding. Again, the risks of this are higher with low flow cannulas than high flow cannulas.

4. Lung Damage

In some cases, it’s even possible for a patient to suffer from lung damages after using a nasal cannula. There isn’t much of a risk of this in patients who use cannulas for brief periods, but those who use cannulas for long terms may struggle with lung issues and advanced respiratory difficulties.

5. Eye Damage

There have also been reports of patients suffering from eye damage as a result of using nasal cannulas for long periods of time. This usually happens because of a pressure buildup within the body as high amounts of oxygen and airflow are pumped through the cannula and into the nose.

6. Pulmonary Oxygen Toxicity

One of the most serious potential side effects or complications of nasal cannulas is pulmonary oxygen toxicity. This is a condition that may occur from breathing in large amounts of molecular oxygen. It can cause a range of symptoms like edema, chest heaviness, coughing, and chest pain.

Where Can I Purchase Nasal Cannulas?

If you’re interested in purchasing nasal cannulas from leading brands at the best prices, choose CIA Medical. A leading provider of wholesale medical supplies, CIA Medical has a vast, varied selection of high quality nasal cannulas. Buyers can choose from nasal cannulas in various sizes, including both low flow nasal cannulas and high nasal cannulas from some of the best brands in the medical world, like Allied Healthcare, Hudson, Medline, and Salter Labs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Purpose of a Nasal Cannula? 

The main purpose of a nasal cannula is to provide supplemental airflow and oxygen into a patient’s body. They’re used in situations when patients may find it hard to breathe or draw in sufficient oxygen for their organs and muscles.

How Does a Nasal Cannula Work? 

A nasal cannula works in a very simple way. One end of the tube is attached to an oxygen source of some kind, which passes oxygen through the tube. The tube has a pair of prongs that are inserted into the nostrils, and air then flows along the tube and into the patient’s nose.

What Are Nasal Cannulas Made Of? 

Nasal cannulas are typically made from PVC, or polyvinyl chloride.

Why Would Someone Need a Nasal Cannula? 

There are many situations in which someone might need a nasal cannula. Asthma patients, for example, may be recommended these devices, as well as sufferers of Nasal cannulas are typically made from PVC, or polyvinyl chloride.

What Is a High Flow Nasal Cannula? 

A high flow nasal cannula or HFNC is one that is capable of delivering oxygen at high flow rates up to 60 L/min.

What Is a Low Flow Nasal Cannula? 

A low flow nasal cannula is one designed for relatively low flow rates of around 4 to 6 L/min.

Are Nasal Cannulas Non Invasive Ventilation? 

Nasal cannula usage is not technically the same as non-invasive ventilation (NIV), as NIV involves the use of a face mask, nasal mask, or helmet of some kind.

Can a Nasal Cannula Cause Congestion? 

There may be a risk of dryness in the nasal passages, which could lead to stuffiness and general irritation of the nose when using a nasal cannula.

Can a Nasal Cannula Be Used in the Mouth? 

No, a nasal cannula is not designed or intended for use in the mouth. As the name implies, nasal cannulas are only meant to be used in the nasal passageways and deliver air directly via the nostrils.

Can You Shower with a Nasal Cannula? 

It may be possible to shower with a nasal cannula, as long as the oxygen source is away from the heat and water. The tube may also be removed before a shower and reinserted afterwards.

Do Nasal Cannulas Expire? 

Yes, a nasal cannula will have an expiry date and nasal cannulas are not intended to be used permanently without disposal or changing. In fact, a nasal cannula should be replaced every few months.

When to Change a Nasal Cannula?

This will depend on the patient’s health condition and general situation. In some cases, nasal cannulas may need changing every couple of weeks, but they may be able to last for 2+ months in other cases.

When to Replace a Nasal Cannula? 

If kept clean and well-maintained, a nasal cannula can last for two to three months before it needs to be replaced.

Can I Buy Nasal Cannulas Online?

Yes, it’s possible to buy nasal cannulas online, and you can do so at CIA Medical. We offer a wide range of high quality nasal cannulas from leading brands at fair prices.